CVE-2026-67974 in cFS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2026
A parser boundary flaw in the Software Bus Network (SBN) application's peer subscription message handling in NASA cFS v7.0.1 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via sending a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical parser boundary flaw within the Software Bus Network component of NASA's Core Flight System version 7.0.1, specifically affecting peer subscription message handling mechanisms. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered by an attacker who crafts and transmits specially formatted packets to the affected system. The Software Bus Network serves as a fundamental communication infrastructure within spacecraft flight software systems, facilitating message passing between various subsystems and applications. When processing peer subscription messages, the SBN application fails to properly validate input boundaries, creating opportunities for malformed data to disrupt normal operational procedures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the parser implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious packets that exceed expected parameter limits or contain unexpected data structures in the subscription message format. The flaw likely resides in how the system processes variable-length fields, buffer management, or state transition handling during message parsing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of boundary error conditions that are commonly classified as CWE-129 Input Validation and Output Generation or more specifically CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read depending on the exact implementation details. The attack vector operates through network-based communication channels where subscription messages are exchanged between peers in the distributed spacecraft software architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise mission-critical spacecraft operations. In aerospace environments, denial of service attacks against core flight software components can lead to complete system failures or loss of communication with ground control stations. The SBN application's role as a foundational communication layer means that disruptions to its functionality could cascade throughout the entire spacecraft software stack, affecting telemetry collection, command processing, and overall mission execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in autonomous spacecraft operations where immediate human intervention may not be possible, making automated system recovery mechanisms crucial for mission success.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms that enforce strict boundary checks on all incoming peer subscription messages. The recommended approach includes enhancing the parser with robust buffer management techniques, implementing proper bounds checking for variable-length fields, and establishing defensive programming practices that prevent malformed data from causing system crashes. Organizations should consider applying patches or code modifications that address the specific boundary condition flaws within the SBN component, ensuring that all input parameters are validated against expected ranges and formats before processing. Additionally, network-level monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation through software exploitation and system resource exhaustion attacks, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches in mission-critical environments where traditional cybersecurity controls must account for the unique operational constraints of spaceflight systems.